DEMIRTAS : We will name delegation to İmralı

ANF, Ankara 13.02.2013 – Speaking to ANF about visits to İmralı, Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş said that the next visit to the jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) could happen within few days.

BDP co-chair said they were waiting for news from the Ministry of Justice about the second visit and pointed out that “the Central Executive Board and BDP group, the co-chairs of our party have been authorized to name who will go to Imralı island for the second visit. Our people should not listen to rumors and speculations about our party, co-chairs and deputies. We will share it with public once it becomes clear who will be part of the delegation”.

Demirtaş noted that they have no information about the progress of Imralı talks apart from the statements by government authorities.

The BDP co-chair remarked that they will apply to the Ministry of Justice only after they are informed that a visit is possible. “I expect this information to be given to our side in the next few days. As our party has already determined the names to go to the island, two or three deputies from our party will make an official application for the visit. Demirtaş added that they have been trying hard to ensure a second meeting to Imralı to make sure that the ongoing process of talks can progress. At the BDP group meeting in the Parliament on Tuesday, Demirtaş said that BDP could stay outside talks if the process requires that, and that they were ready to provide all kinds of support to the process from outside as well.